The Regional Finals of the Soroptimists Girls Public Speaking Competition were held in Lawlors Hotel, Dungarvan last Sunday sponsored by the Dungarvan Soroptimist Club. According to the highly experienced Adjudicating Panel, the presentations were of the highest standard and held the attention of their audience throughout the afternoon.

Ciara Gildea of Ard Scoil Wins the Ciara Meehan Award for Best Research

Ten girls from various Secondary Schools across Munster, took part and were highly complimented by the lead Adjudicator, Clodagh Beresford Dunne, herself a very successful speaker on the Inter-Varsity circuit in her student days. In her lengthy and detailed adjudication, she described the speakers as the ‘crème de la crème’ and spoke of how difficult it was to select winners from such a talented group. However, the two girls who will go forward to the National Finals to be held in The Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary on 8th March next are Increase Akinyemi, Regional Winner, (Presentation Secondary School, Tralee) and Evangeline Ni Dhubhda, Regional Winner (Colaiste Ide, An Daingean). Ciara Gildea, (Ard Scoil na nDeise, Dungarvan) was the winner Ciara Meehan Award for Best Research.

President of Dungarvan Soroptimists, Carmel Keith said she was delighted at the standard of the speeches and congratulated the girls on the quality of their research and precise delivery. She also thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the event and said she was pleased to welcome the National Convenor of the National Public Speaking Competition, Barbara Harrison who also assisted in adjudication. Carmel also wished the winners every success in their forthcoming trip to Thurles.